If you have ever been a maid of honor or a bridesmaid, you know how much work is involved. Now it is your turn, as the bride, to give gifts to your wedding party. How do you show them that they are special to you and your spouse? Thankfully, there are many gift ideas from which to choose. However, don’t discount your own creativity in coming up with an original idea as well.

As a bride, your maid of honor is probably the one who is dearest to you, whether she is your sister or a friend. She has probably carried a lot of responsibility throughout the stages of planning the wedding, the bridal shower, and of course, the wedding day itself once it arrives. What are her interests? Is she sentimental? Some of the traditional gifts might include personalized items such as jewelry boxes, photo frames and trinket boxes. Lockets and engraved keepsakes can also be wonderful gifts. Other ideas might be a photo scrapbook with meaningful and fun pictures of the two of you taken over the years you have know her along with a handwritten message inside meant just for her. A devotional with Scripture about friends or sisters would also be a heartfelt gift.

Make your bridesmaids feel special with beautiful jewelry boxes, stylish cosmetic bags, fuzzy slippers (they might want to wear these at the reception), candles, sachets, or anything that makes them feel feminine and special.

Flower girls absolutely love feeling like they are “big girls”. Treat them to a charm bracelet or an engraved pendant if they are older. If they are younger, a pretty backpack with their name or initial monogrammed on it or a favorite stuffed animal would be excellent gifts to make them feel special. If you choose the backpack, put in a few items like a pretty t-shirt, lip balm, stickers, pens, pencils, colored pencils, washable markers, and other fun items they could use during the reception.

Gifts for the mother of the groom and the mother of the bride can be tailored to fit them perfectly. Ideas for them might be an ornate picture frame for showcasing their favorite wedding photo or elegant jewelry. For those who are more sentimental, consider photo albums of you and your spouse as children and your growing up years to the time you are preparing to be wed. Include in the photo album handwritten letters from each of you expressing why you appreciate them and what you love about each other because of the impact each mother had on their child.

For the groomsmen, a personalized money clip, watches, pocket knives, and leather travel kits would be appropriate and appreciated.

When you are making decisions about the perfect gifts for your bridal party, remember that a personal gift from you and/or your spouse is always treasured. A unique and special gift from your heart might be a handwritten letter to each person in your bridal party telling them why they are special, or recalling precious memories of them and things you have done together. It isn’t necessary to dig deep into the piggy bank if you are giving a gift that is from the heart, because sharing your heart with those closest to you is always a gift that is well received and cherished.